Entries are invited for this year's scottish Green Awards - which are held in association with scottishPower - and are being staged at the Glasgow science Centre on september 30, 2010.

This year's award categories are:

Outstanding Contribution to the Scottish Environment Sponsored by ScottishPower This will go to an individual, group of individuals, company or organisation which has made a key contribution to improving the environment in scotland.

Best Green SME Sponsored by Scottish Environment Protection Agency This recognises the efforts of a small to medium-sized business (turnover between £5m and £20m) in helping to improve the environment. entrants must have been trading for a minimum of 18 months and be located in scotland.

Best Green Large Company This recognises the efforts of a large company (turnover greater than £20m) in helping to improve the environment. entrants must have been trading for a minimum of 18 months and be located in scotland.

Best Green PR Campaign This is for the best campaign that most effectively uses public relations to generate publicity in order to build awareness of, or support corporate values on, community, social, ethical or reputational issues.

Best Green Community Initiative Sponsored by Scottish Environment Protection Agency This will go to an initiative that improves the environment and has been led, developed and supported by a community.

Best Green Campaigner/ Activist This is designed to encourage and reward the techniques of a scottish campaigner over 25.

Best Young Person Campaigner/Activist This award is designed to encourage and reward the techniques of a scottish junior campaigner between 14 and 25.

Best Junior Campaigner/ Activist This is designed to encourage and reward the techniques of a scottish junior campaigner under 14 .

Best Green School This recognises a school that has taken the initiative on a project or projects which have been environmentally friendly.

Best Green Healthcare Provision This recognises the efforts of a hospital, surgery or any form of care provider to meet the highest standards of environmental awareness and/or practice.

Best Green Public Service or Public Sector Provision This is open to a large category of service providers and recognises success in delivering a service and improving the environment for the public's benefit.

Highest Green Achievement Award This new category will be awarded to one of the winners in the above categories and seeks to recognise activities that contribute to the environment and demonstrate the most scope, specific impact or imaginative contribution to achieving positive change.

independent research for the awards is being conducted by the David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde.